Ronald Reagan

"Welfare's purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence." -Ronald Reagan

He was the President of the United States for eight years. You know, the most powerful man on the planet?

MAGNETISM

What version of Ronald Reagan do we use? The young athlete, the Hollywood actor or the charismatic politician? As a liberal in his youth, Reagan may have had more luck with the fairer sex. But as a staunch Conservative upon his foray into the political ring, he was no Clinton.

His first wife, Jane Wyman, was a modest film star in her day. His present wife, Nancy, has been his confidante and partner since 1952. She also held considerable influence in the White House. Her presence by his side has been resolute throughout the decline of his physical and mental health.

SUCCESS

A score of 90, you ask? If the category was just fame, no problem. Reagan has one of the most recognizable faces on the planet and was the most powerful person in the world for a while. But we still had to consider the negative side of his administration.

The economy took a turn for the worst after his second term. We may never know the truth behind Iran-Contra. There is a host of other problems left in his political wake but his supporters would point to his campaign to restore confidence in America and end the Cold War. That last one was fundamental and lest we forget, Reagan was the one to say, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (the Berlin Wall, that is).

Ronald Reagan Biography

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois. At Eureka College he was a star football player and performed in several school plays. Work was hard to come by upon graduation, but Reagan managed to find a job as a radio sports announcer. His natural charisma gained a vast audience and in 1937, Reagan won a Hollywood contract. Reagan enjoyed a full career in film, appearing in over 50 until he decided to pursue politics.

reagan in hollywood

As President of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan shifted his allegiance to the Conservative side. It was the heyday of the movement to blacklist suspected Communists in Hollywood, and Reagan was at the forefront. By now he had separated from wife Jane Wyman, an actress, and met the woman who would stay by his side for the rest of his life and bear him two more children, Nancy Davis.

As a prominent spokesman for the Conservative movement, Reagan sparked the interest of powerful people looking for a change in government in the state of California. He was convinced to take a run at Governor in 1966 and won by a landslide. The state electorate granted him a second term in 1970. Riding a terrific wave of popularity, Reagan and his supporters looked to the White House.

welcome to the white house

The Republican Presidential nomination had to wait until 1980. The country was in an economic slump and a dire situation in Iran that then President Carter had fumbled. With a promise to free American hostages in the Middle East and reverse the negative economic tide, Reagan had the answer. His enormous victory in the federal election was beyond dominant: he took 489 electoral votes. Carter won 49 in a stunning defeat.

A brave recovery from the bullet of an assassin 69 days after he took power gave Reagan an improbable approval rating. Once his health returned, he went on a legislative spree to spur economic growth and solidify national defense. He cut taxes and government expenditure, although the policy would later run up an insurmountable deficit in the face of the sizeable defense budget.

Yet Reagan rode the wave of goodwill to a second term in 1984, against a weak Democratic ticket of Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro. Despite the future fallout of his economic policy, Reagan did revamp the tax code to exempt a major segment of the population with low incomes. By the time his successor, George Bush, took over the White House in 1988, America had recorded an unprecedented period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression.

the great communicator's legacy

The Reagan legacy was marked by tremendous strides in foreign policy. Although the "peace through strength" mandate drew controversy with the infamous Star Wars proposal and the 35% increase in defense expenditure, Reagan sought to improve the rapport with the Soviet Union. His diplomatic endeavors with then Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev led to the elimination of intermediate-range nuclear missiles and the eventual end of the Cold War. Reagan fought terrorism in Libya and Communist governments in Latin America, Asia and Africa, in the face of tremendous criticism.

For many, however, the legacy of Ronald Reagan will be one of courage and strength, in fostering confidence and faith in America in an era of extraordinary global turmoil.

After a decade-long battle with Alzheimer's disease, Ronald Reagan passed away on June 5, 2004, at the age of 93, with his family by his side.